Video: Addressing the myth of multitasking

Ironically, the biggest obstacle to effective time management is something that many people believe is what makes them more productive. Let's address the myth of multitasking before we dive deeper into time management. In order for you to experience this myth firsthand, let's do an exercise together. We're going to find out how well you use your time when you multitask. You can download and print out a handout from the course page. Alternatively, I have an example of the handout here. You can use any piece of white paper to do this exercise.

Effective time management is an indispensable skill. In Time Management Fundamentals, Dave Crenshaw explains how to sensibly allocate time in order to achieve greater productivity. Dave details a set of principles for staying organized, consolidating the workspace, keeping a clear mind, and developing a time budget. Also covered are techniques for managing a full inbox, processing email, and reserving time for the most important activities.

This course qualifies for 2.75 Category A professional development units (PDUs) through lynda.com, PMI Registered Education Provider #4101.

Topics include:

Understanding the principles of productivity

Avoiding the pitfalls of multitasking

Practicing mind-clearing techniques

Saying no with tact

Choosing the appropriate calendaring software

Mastering the What, When, Where processing system

Processing email vs. checking email

Maintaining productivity gains

The PMI Registered Education Provider logo is a registered mark of the Project Management Institute, Inc.

Addressing the myth of multitasking

Ironically, the biggest obstacle to effective time management is something thatmany people believe is what makes them more productive.Let's address the myth of multitasking before we dive deeper into time management.In order for you to experience this myth firsthand, let's do an exercise together.We're going to find out how well you use your time when you multitask.You can download and print out a handout from the course page.Alternatively, I have an example of the handout here. You can use any piece ofwhite paper to do this exercise.

Notice that I have the phrase at the top of this exercise that says, "Multitaskingis worse than a lie."Mark Twain was credited with saying there are lies, damned lies, and statistics.Perhaps you've heard that before.Well, I say there are lies, damned lies, and multitasking.Multitasking is worse than a lie, because it is culturally acceptable.It's something we've all been taught makes us more productive. What you'reabout to experience firsthand is how multitasking is actually hindering your productivity.

Here is how the exercise works. Wait to hear all of the instructions before you begin.First, I want you to do recopy the phrase "multitasking is worse than a lie" inthe first row, and then underneath that in the second row right the numbers 1 to 27.And when you get done, just write your time off to the end of the second row. Great!Now let's do this again.This time I want you to multitask.

So for every letter you write you're going to write a number.So you'll began by writing the letter m and beneath that you'll write a 1, andthen you write a u and beneath that you'll right a 2, l, 3, and so on.And this again will be a time to exercise.What you just experienced is the myth of multitasking. Rather than getting moredone faster, you got worse results slower.

This is because your brain is physically incapable of handling multiple activetasks at the same time.It's why I call multitasking switchtasking.What you really did when you tried to multitask was switch back and forthrapidly between the tasks, just as you switched back and forth rapidly between thenumbers and the letters.No, I'm not talking about doing something active while something mindless or mundanehappens in the background, such as exercising while watching tv. To clarify I call thatsort of activity background-tasking. But when most people say they are multitaskingor "I'm a good multitasker", they're referring to attempting to perform multiple active tasksat the same time.

This is switchtasking, and it's always devastating to effective time management.

Find answers to the most frequently asked questions about Time Management Fundamentals .

Here are the FAQs that matched your search "" :

Expand all | Collapse all

please wait ...

In the recommended resource list, you suggest that we get stacking trays.What are these to be used for?

These trays provide the option to create more "homes" as needed. Someexample homes that others have created using these trays include: Outbox(for another person), To Be Shredded, or Reading Pile.

Sorry, there are no matches for your search "" —to search again, type in another word or phrase and click search.

Learn by watching, listening, and doing, Exercise files are the same files the author uses in the course, so you can download them and follow along Premium memberships include access to all exercise files in the library.

Already a member ?

Learn by watching, listening, and doing! Exercise files are the same files the author uses in the course, so you can download them and follow along. Exercise files are available with all Premium memberships.
Learn more

Upgrade to our Annual Premium Membership today and get even more value from your lynda.com subscription:

“In a way, I feel like you are rooting for me. Like you are really invested in my experience, and want me to get as much out of these courses as possible this is the best place to start on your journey to learning new material.”— Nadine H.

Thanks for signing up.

We’ll send you a confirmation email shortly.

Sign up and receive emails about lynda.com and our online training library:

new course releases

newsletter

general communications

special notices

Here’s our privacy policy with more details about how we handle your information.

Keep up with news, tips, and latest courses with emails from lynda.com.

Sign up and receive emails about lynda.com and our online training library:

new course releases

newsletter

general communications

special notices

Here’s our privacy policy with more details about how we handle your information.